Sault MP says new customs plaza top local project underway

Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce members heard a “hopeful and upbeat,” message from MP Bryan Hayes in a speech Tuesday said the chamber’s president.

“I think the message Bryan gave to chamber members (Tuesday) morning was well received,” said Jamie Caicco, chamber president.

Reached following the address, Hayes said the federal focus is on the economy “plain and simple,” with efforts to keep taxes low and to balance the budget by 2016-17 and start paying down the debt.

Hayes pointed to more than 880,000 net new jobs since July, 2009.

“What’s important is nine out of 10 of those are full-time jobs and they’re private-sector jobs. These are not public sector jobs, so they’re not taxpayer jobs,” said Hayes.

He also pointed to Canada’s status as the G7 country with the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio, and a forecast that has Canada leading the G7 in annual growth into the future.

“We have the soundest banking system in the world five years in a row. All these things are important,” said Hayes.

Tuesday’s address was Hayes’ second since becoming MP.

Caicco expressed satisfaction with Hayes’ performance, to date. He said the MP appears to be “working hard.”

The federal Conservatives, “seem to have a definite economic plan and are trying to operate within the realm of fiscal responsibility,” said Caicco.

Caicco said he believes there is a level of patience when it comes to the business community and progress on major projects like a new customs plaza for the Canadian side of the bridge, and a proposed deep-water port.

“I think people realize that when a federal member is lobbying for initiatives, they’re usually large initiatives and complicated,” said Caicco.

Hayes said the new customs plaza is probably the most significant project underway. With agreements signed with landowners, the project looks poised to finally move ahead this year. Hayes said the new challenge may be the increased cost of the project which was pegged at $44 million in 2009, but which could be more in the range of $50-51 million with inflation factored in.

“We really don’t know until we go to tender, but the reality is I’m going to have to certainly be advocating for additional funds from the government for our community because we want the agreed-upon plan that was agreed to by all stakeholders and it’s important we don’t take shortcuts on this,” he said.